The State Education Department has updated the timeline for the submission of applications to establish charter schools in New York State authorized by the Board of Regents with a plan to open in 2016. In the 2015 Request for Proposals (RFP), the Department will provide two opportunities for applicants to submit new charter school applications. The timeline (below) provides information regarding Round 1 of the competitive RFP process. The requirements and timelines for Round 2 will be posted in late spring.

This month, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a new School Renewal Program to improve 94 of the city’s most struggling schools. The program includes versions of three practices that are hallmarks of top charter schools, but a comparison of Renewal School plans to charter school practices reveals consistent differences in urgency and intensity. As NYC DOE continues to define, implement and strengthen this high- stakes program, as well as prepare support and turnaround plans for hundreds of other schools, charter schools stand ready to share their work.